Senegalese Airline Launches Campaign to Identify Fan Who Aimed Laser at Mohamed Salah

In an unusual initiative, a Senegalese airline announced on Monday the start of a campaign to locate the fan who directed a laser beam at Egyptian star Mohamed Salah during a crucial match between Egypt and Senegal in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The two teams are set to face off again on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Tangier, Morocco, generating significant public and media attention.

The previous encounter was marked by controversial moments, as Mohamed Salah was seen surrounded by security personnel after experiencing harassment from Senegalese fans, which included laser beams and projectiles, drawing widespread criticism from international media.

The airline stated that it aims to honor the fan for his actions, which they claim "left an unforgettable impression and brought luck to the team" during the 2022 match, offering him a fully complimentary trip to Morocco to attend the semi-final.

The airline has urged its followers to reach out with any information regarding the fan or his family.

In recent years, Senegal has proven to be a challenging opponent for the Egyptian national team, having defeated them in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup in 2006 with a score of 2-1. Additionally, Senegal, led by Sadio Mane, thwarted Egypt's chances of winning the Africa Cup in 2021 and qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.